San Miguel Beer struck hard behind a solid first half, erecting a comfortable lead which proved enough cushion to beat TNT, 111-92, tying their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals series at 1-1 on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Beermen surged to a 57-33 halftime lead, thanks to a 55.6 shooting from the floor and a massive 28-13 rebounding advantage in the first two quarters.
The Tropang 5G, who took the series opener 96-91, shot a miserable 25.8 percent in the first half in Game 2, with the trio of Jordan Heading, Rey Nambatac and Calvin Oftana just shooting a combined 6-of-19 from the field.
But while TNT managed to cut the deficit to 12 heading into the last two minutes, San Miguel’s depth was just too much to overcome.
Don Trollano led San Miguel with 22 points, June Mar Fajardo sizzled with a solid double-double effort of 17 and 16 rebounds.
Four other San Miguel players scored 13 or more points in a massive display of firepower by the Beermen.
Nambatac led TNT with 17 points, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 15, while Heading finished with 14.
The Tropang 5G shot just 35 percent from the field in Game 2 and got beaten off the boards, 50-35.
SMB’s bigs frolicked in the paint, leading to its 52-26 sizeable lead in the points in the paint.
Game 3 shifts this Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City
